The Chili Bowl Democracy Cell

But the lesson I want to share here is the one Ven Neralla, from Rep. Barbara Lee's office, shared with the group.

This group, by the way, is a Democracy for America group, one of many meetups discussing the Lee Resolution of Inquiry tonight.

It was hot. People were a little uncomfortable. Someone asked how we could get Congressmembers to respond to our requests. After all, we have no vote in Congress.

Ven pointed out that it was pressure from constituents in Rep. Adam Smith's district that brought him in. And that Delegate Norton needs to hear from us in order to come on board.

There was some silence in the room while people thought about empowerment, futility, and what it will take.

I was reminded of something Howard Zinn wrote when we asked him how we will know when the actions that need to be taken start:

"Must we know when they start? Instead of looking, waiting, observing, we should just act and it will gradually become obvious. John Dewey said: 'Don't predict, so you'll know what to do. Do, so you'll know what to predict.'"

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With the recent NEEDLESS murders of our troops in Bush's war, I am shocked that so many families continue to allow their loved ones to die for Bush money. Our troops made a commitment to protect and DEFEND OUR COUNTRY! not fight and die for Bush's personal agendas. ($$$$$) I'd like to reach out and tell those families to, "stand up for the life of your son, your daughter, your husband, your wife and file lawsuits against the government or file criminal charges of 1st degree murder against Bush, Cheney, Rummsy, Rice, Rove, etc." Do it now before it is too late!

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